Strap tightener



ug, E, 1933. A. F. BERNARD 3192973 STRAP TIGHTENER Filed Ooi. 25. 1932 I" [III I I III'I'" l 211 lll,

Patented Aug. 1, 1933 morso erases earner orties STRA? TIGHTENER 18 Claims.

lvIy invention relates to improvements in strap tighteners, adapted for use in encircling straps,

preferably a limb encircling strap, such a bracelet, which will readily open up to permit the easy removall oi the bracelet from the wrist.

feature of my invention relates to improvements in strap tighteners of this description, providing a structure employing a slidable adjustable member in the strap tightener so that the strap tightener may be laid in closed position on the wrist or other member and the slidable member moved inwardly relative to the strap tightener aiter the strap tightener itself has been closed to adjust the strap to the desired length for free play of the wrist in use.

A urtner sature of my invention is to provide a structure wherein the length adjusting means also provides the supplemental function of locking the top and bottom connector sections of the strap tightener together.

Further features of my invention relate to the improved spec'ic structural details of the strap yightener hereinafter described.

A further object oi my invention is to provide a strap tightener which in use, although it may be made up ci a top, one or more intermediate and a bottom connector section, in use presents the appearance of but a single thickness when viewed from the side, thereby providing a strap J9 tightener of this construction of the thinnest type oi any known on the market.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best under- N stood from a description or" an embodiment thereoi, such as is shown in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. l is a plan view of my improved strap tightener in use with my improved slidable member in a position spaced away from the top an bottom connector sections as would normali be adiusted in use on a bracelet.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 2 with the top connector section raised away from the bottom conector section ier the purpose of opening the strap tightener for removal ci the bracelet.

4 is a longitudinal sectional view partially shown in elevation taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

6 a sectional view of the resilient cam means I preferably employ in locked position in (Ul. 24--7D a hole in a vertically projecting Wall of the bottom connector' section.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation generally similar to Fig. 6 showing the slidable member in the act of being moved inwards vwith the resilient cam means depressed into the slit to permit contraction of the cam means for this purpose.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the end of the rod member showing the longitudinal slit and laterally projecting resilient cam means.

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken along the -line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is a diagrammatic sectional view somewhat similar to Fig. 4 of a different embodiment of my invention showing a construction of the resilient cam means which can be used Without the slits.

In the drawing, wherein like :raracters of reference indicate like parts throughout, generally indicates a strap tightener constructed in accordance with my invention. My improved strap tightener preferably includes a top connector section 22 and a bottom connector section 24. I employ means to pivotally attach said top connector section to said bottom connector section. In my improved embodiment said means reierably comprises one or more intermediate connector sections having the ends thereof pivotally attached to the inner ends of said top and bottom connector sections. In my preferred embodiment I preferably employ the intermediate` connector section 26 pivotally attached as at 28 and 30 respectively to the inner ends of the top and bottom connector sections.

One of said connector sections, preferably the bottom connector section as in the embodiment shown is provided with means 32 to attach the strap end 34 thereto and a Wall 36, in my preferred embodiment two, projecting substantially vertically therefrom for a substantial distance having the spaced holes 38 therein and the other of said connector sections in my preferred embodiment, preferably the top connector sections 22 is 'provided with means 40 to attach the other strap end 4l thereto, said means 40 being preier- 100 ably slidable on said top connector section 2?. and having cam means 42 resilient in its action projecting laterally therefrom. Each cam means 42 comp `ises cam surfaces 46 which may be considered as positioned in vertical planes, and paired cam surfaces 4'?, Which may be considered as positioned in planes converging toward the horizontal, as described in more detail below.

In the preferred embodiment shown in order that my improved strap tiglitener may be as thin as possible and present a single thickness when viewed from the side, I preferably provide the top connector section with the side walls 48 projecting iirst downwardly as at 5G, then inwardly as at 52 and having at least a portion 54, preferably near the outer end thereof projecting upwardly, said bent side walls thus forming channels 56 on each side of the top connector section. In my preferred embodiment I also preferably construct the bottom connector section 24 or"v lesser width than said top connector section and provide it with the side walls 36 projecting upwardly therefrom, each having the sets of aligned spaced holes 38 therein. With this construction therefore it is obvious that the bottom connector section may be pivoted to a position intermediate the channels 56 of said top connector section as shown in Fig. 5 to form when 4viewed from the outside substantially a single thickness and a strap tightener of lesser thickness than any hitherto known on the market. In my preferred embodiment, the means 40 slidable relative to said topconnector section 22adapted tohave the other strap end 42 attached to the end thereof, preferably comprises a U-shaped bailrnernber having the other strap end pivotally attached to the U-base 58 thereof and the U-legs 60 thereof slidably constrained within the channels 56. I then preferably construct two resiliently actingk cam means 42 projecting inwardly from the inner end of each respective U-leg 6D. In order that the cam means may act resiliently, I preferably provide the inner end of each leg 60 with the longitudinal slitY 62. Each cam` means 42j is provided with three cam surfaces, as shown more particularly in Fig. 8.A The rst cam surface, indicated at 46, may be considered as locatedI in a vertical` plane, and slants toward the inside of member 60, and it is this cam surface that bears or cams'against the edges' of the holes 38 and causes the inward bending of the U-leg 60, as shown lin Fig. 7. The other twoV cain surfaces, indicated at 47,y may be considered as located in converging diagonal planes, see Figs. 8 and 9. It is these cam surfaces'l that function when the parts are moved from the open position of Fig. 3 to the closed position of Fig. 2, and vice versa. In suchv movement, 'see Fig. 5, the metal defining the upper edge of the holes 38, Fig. 3, bears against thecam surfaces 47 on both sides of U-leg 60 and pushes them inwardly, to a position like that in Fig. 7'; the legs then spring out again and lockl the parts together, as in Fig. 2. When this locking has been accomplished, the U-leg 60 can still be moved inwardly for adjustment, through the action of cam 46 and cooperating parts.

The cams 42, composed of the sets of cam surfaces 46 and 47, and their cooperating parts, therefore form a combined locking and adj isting means. l

In order to attach my improved strap tightener with strap attached thereto, such as in a bracelet, it is merely necessary to pivot the 'strap tightenerto an open position suggested in Fig. 3 to bring the top connector section 22, intermediate connection 25 and bottomconnector section 24 into horizontal alignment that the bracelet may be moved over the to the desired position on the wrist. When the vbracelet lies on the wrist, it is obvious that the to'pconnectoi` section may be pivoted over vthe bottom connector section to a closed position..l

As my improved strap tighten'er is made for any size wrist in order. to adjust the strap accurately to the wrist the U-shaped bail member 40 is rst pulled way outwards so that the cam means 42 thereof will project inwardly of the innermost aligned set of holes 32 therein. t is obvious that as the top connector section 22 is brought into position over the bottom connector section 24 that the side walls 36 of said bottom connector section will slide intermediate the upwardly projecting portions 50 of the side walls 48 of the top connector section and thus take a position inte ior or said channels 56. When t -e bottom connector section has assumed this position it is obvious that the resilient cam means 42 resilient in my preferred embodiment due to longitudinal slits 62 will expand outwards to permit the bottom connector section to achieve this position and that when it has achieved this position the resilient cam means will resiliently springl inwardly within the innermost aligned holes 38. AIn order to adjust the links of the bracelet or strap to the wrist it is apparent that the bail member e() may he merely pushed outwards, the resilient cam means 42 resiliently expanding as suggested in Fig. 7 to permit the cam means 42 to slide over the desired number of sets of aligned holes until the desired length of the vbracelet has bee achieved, when the cam means ki2 will inmediately spring inwards into the desired set of aligned holes, -eby adjusting the strap tightener and attached strap to the desired ie th for convenient use on the wrist a construction which once sdjusted will not pull out to a longer length. d

remove the strap or strap from wristA or other object it is c f that it se up the top conneclor section from the bottom connector section against the pressure of the cams 42 and as the cam means has tapered upper and lower sides. it is obvious that itvprovides a lateral cern which may rea- Y give for this purpose until the resilient cam means is entirely moved out or" the set of aligned holes 38, thereby per -itting the top connector section and intermediate connector section to he pivoted into a su, stantially horizontal ali. ment for rernoval of the strap and strap tightener from'the wrist or other object. It is therefore that I have provided a novel type of strap tightener in which the saine means functions as a catch for holding it together an adjustment to adjust 'the strap to the desired length, constructed of minimum nu 1er of simple parts and relatively easy to construct.

I employ the words inner" and outer in rei"- erence to the intermediate connector 'section when the top and bottom connector sections pivoted in substantially h zontal alignment to the open position suggested in Fig. 3 and inwardly and o twardly relative to the longitudinal center line thereof t is understood that my invention is not limited to the'specic embodiment shown and that various deviations may be niade therefrom without departing from the spirit and'scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: Y

1. In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means to pivotally attach said top connector section to said bottom connector section, one of said sections having means to attach a strap end thereto and CII to, saidv latter attaching means slidably mounted in said other section and having resilient cam means projecting laterally therefrom, said cam means having a flat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section said resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lo'clr said sections together and permitting inward adjustment oi said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked con-- nector sections. l

2. In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means to pivotally attach said top connector section to said bottom connector section, said bottom connector section having means to attach a strap end thereto and a wall projecting substantially vertically therefrom for a substantial distance having spaced holes therein and said top connector section having means to attach the opposite strap end thereto, said latter attaching means slidably mounted in said top connector section and having resilient cam means projecting laterally therefrom, said cam means having a ilat outer wall and an inwar ly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section, said resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lock said sections together, and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections.

3. in a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally attached to the inner ends of said connector sections, one of said sections having means to attach a strap end thereto and a wall projecting vertically therefrom for a substantial distance having spaced holes therein and the other ci said sections having means to attach the opposite strap end thereto, said latter attaching means slidably mounted in said other section and having a resilient cam means projecting laterally therefrom, said cam means having a flat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section said resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lock said sections together, and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relatively to said locked connector sections.

4, In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally attached tothe inner ends of said connector sections, said bottom connector section having means to attach a strap end thereto and a wall projecting substantially lvertically therefrom` for a substantial distance having Y spaced holes therein and said top connector secto shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections.

5. In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means to pivotally attach said top connector section to said bottom connector section, one of said sections having means to attach a strap end thereto and a wall projecting substantially vertically therefrom for a substantial distance thereof having spaced holes therein and the other of said sections having rod means to attach the opposite strapy end thereto, said rod means slidably mounted in said other section and having resilient cam means projecting laterally from the inner end thereof, said cam means having a ilat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall and a horizontal slit at the inner end thereof opposite said cam means, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said topc'onnector section, said resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lock said sections together,

and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable meansv relative to said locked connector sections.

6. In a strap tightener, a top connector section having side walls projecting iirst downwardly, then inwardly and having a portion thereof near the inner end thereof projecting upwardly forming a'channel in each side thereof and a bottom connector section of lesser width than said top connector section having side walls projecting upwardly therofrom having sets of aligned spaced holes therein, means to attach a strap end to said bottom connector section, means to pivotally attach said bottom connector section to said top connector section so that said bottom connector section may pivot to a position intermediate the side walls thereof with said top and bottom sections forming a single thickness, said top connector section having a U-shaped bail member having the outer strap attached to the U-base thereof and the il -legs thereof slidably constrained within said channels, each leg having a longitudinal slit at the inner end thereof and resilient cam means projecting laterally inwardly thereof having a hat outer and an inwardly ta pered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said tcp connector section, each o said resilient cam means may into one of said sets of aligned holes to loch said sections together and permitting inward adjustment of saidslidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections.

'7. ln a strap tightener, a top connector section having side walls projecting nrst downwardly then inwardly and having a portion thereof near the inner end thereof projecting upwardly forming a channel in each side thereof and a bottom connector section of lesser width than said top connector section having side walls projecting upwardly therefrom having sets of aligned spaced holes therein, means to attach a strap end to said bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivot-ally attached to the inner end of said connector sections so that said bottom connector section may pivot to a position intermediate the side walls of said top connector section with said top, intermediate, and bottom sections forming a single thickness, said top connector section having a U-shaped bail member having the other strap end attached to the U-base vsaid top connector section, each of said resilientv camfmeans may spring into one of said setsof alignedholes` to .lock said sections together and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten saidstrap and preventing outward kmovement oflsaid slidable means relative to said lockedk connector sections. .f

8. In a strap tightener, a top connector section having side walls projecting first downwardly, then inwardly and having a portion thereof near the inner end thereof projecting upwardly forming a channel in each side thereof and a bottom connector section of Vlesser width than said top connector section h aving sidewallsprojecting upwardly .therefrom having sets of aligned spaced holes therein, means to attach a strap end to said bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally attached to the inner ends of said connector sections'so that said bottorn connector section may pivot to a position intermediate the side walls of said top connector section, said top connector section havingaU- shaped bail member having the other strap end attached' to the LJ-base thereof and the U-legs thereof slidably constrained within said channels, each leg having a longitudinal slit at the inner end thereof and resilient cam means projecting laterally inwardly thereof having a iiat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is broughtinto position underneath said top connector section, each of said resilient cam means may spring into one of said setsv of aligned holes tol lock said sections together and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten saidrstrap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections. k

9. In a strap tightener, a top connector section having side walls projecting first downwardly, then inwardly and having a pcrtionthereof near the inner end thereof projecting upwardly forming a channel in each side thereof and a bottom connector section of 'lesser width than said top connector section having side vwalls projecting upwardly therefrom havingsets of aligned spaced holes therein, means to attach a strap end to said bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally vattached to the inner ends of said connector sections so thai said bottom connector section may pivot to a position Vintermediate the side walls of said top connector section with said top, intermediate and bottom sections forming a single thickness, said top connector section having a U-shaped bail member having the other strap end attached to the U- base thereof and the U-legs thereof slidably constrained within 'said channels, each leg having resilient cam means projecting laterally inwardly thereof having a fiat outer and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section, each of said resilient cam 'means may spring into one of said sets of aligned holes to lock Vsaid sections `Vtogether andpermitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outhaving resilient cam means projecting laterally therefrom, said cam means having a flat outer wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section, said resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lock said sections together. Y

1l. In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means to pivotally attach said connector section to ,said bottomconnector section, one of said sections having means to attach a strap end thereto and a portion having spaced holes therein and the other of said section having means to attach the opposite strap end thereto, said latter attaching means siidably mounted in said other section and having resilient cam means projecting therefrom, said cani means having a fiat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section said resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lock said sections together and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections.` Y

12. In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means to pivotally attach said top connector section to said bottom connector section, said bottom connector section having means to attach a strap end thereto and a portion having spaced holes therein and said top connector section having means to attach the opposite strap end thereto, said latter attaching means slidably mounted in said top connector section and having resilient cam means projecting therefrom, said cam means having a flat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom coimector section is brought into position underneathV said top connector section, said' resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lock said` sections together, and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections.

13. In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally attached to the inner ends of said connector sections, one of said sections having means toattach a strap end thereto and a portion having spaced holes therein and the other of said sections having means to attach the opposite strap end thereto, said latter attaching means slidably mountedv in said other section having a resilient cam means projecting therefrom, said cam means having a flat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when to' shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections.

llt. n a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotaily attached to the inner ends of said connector sections, said bottom connector section haviirT means to attach a strap end thereto and a portion having spaced holes therein and said top connector section having means to attach the opposite strap end thereto, said latter attaching means slidably mounted in said top connector section and having resilient cam means projecting therefrom, said. cam means having a dat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section, said resilient cam means may spring into one or said holes to lock said sections together and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement ot said slidable means relative to said locked connector sections.

15. n a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means to pivotally attach said top connector section to said bottom connector section, one or" said sections having means to attach a strap end thereto and a portion having spaced holes therein and the other of said sections having rod means to attach the opposite strap end thereto, said rod means slidably mounted in said other section and having resilient cam means projecting from the inner end thereof, said cam means having a hat outer wall and an inwardly tapered side wall and a horizontal slit at the inner end thereof opposite said cam means, whereby when said bottom connector section is brought into position underneath said top connector section, said resilient cam means may spring into one of said holes to lock said sections together, and permitting inward adjustment of said slidable means to shorten said strap and preventing outward movement of said slidaole means relative to said locked connector sections.

16. In a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means for pivctally attaching said connector sections together, each of the connector` sections having means for attaching a strap end thereto, one of the conn nector sections including a Variaoly positionable member slidable therein, combined locking and adjusting means carried by the said variably positionable member and by the other connector section, said combined locking and adjusting means serving to secure the two connector sections together, and to permit variable positioning of the slidable member.

17. n a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, an intermediate connector section pivotally attached at its opposite ends to both connector sections, each of the connector sections having means for attaching a strap end thereto, one of the connector sections including a variably positionable member slidable therein, combined locking and adjusting means carried by the said variably positionable member and by the other connector section, said combined locking and adjusting means serving to secure the two connector s ctions together, and to permit variable positioning of the slidable member.

i8. in a strap tightener, a top connector section, a bottom connector section, means for pivotally attaching said connector sections together, each oi the connector sections having means for attaching a strap end thereto, one of the connector sections including a variably positionable member slide-ble therein, combined locking and adjusting means carried by the said variably positionacle member and by the other connector section, said combined locking and adjusting means including two sets of cams, one set for use in locking the two connector sections together, and the other set for use yin permitting inward adjustment of the slidable member, but preventing outward movement thereof.

ARTHUR F. BERNARD.

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